In Minnesota, “whiskey plates” are special license plates given to drivers with certain alcohol-related offenses. One of the most common questions a lawyer gets from clients charged with a DWI in Minnesota is, “Does my spouse need whiskey plates in Minnesota?”
Yes, yet under certain conditions. Whiskey plates are required if your spouse has had multiple DUIs in ten years, a BAC of 0.16 or higher, drove with a canceled license due to a DUI, or refused a sobriety test. To comply with Minnesota law, these plates must be displayed for at least one year.
This extensive article will explain if your spouse needs whiskey plates, what they are, when required, the implications of having them, and how to avoid them. Read it to learn more.
What Are Whiskey Plates?
Whiskey plates are license plates issued by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. They start with the letter “W” and are followed by a combination of letters and numbers. Whiskey plates identify vehicles driven by individuals. This is with a history of alcohol-related severe offenses. The purpose of whiskey plates is to make it easier for law enforcement to identify and monitor these drivers.
When Are Whiskey Plates Required?
Whiskey plates are special licenses used in Minnesota for certain driving offenses involving alcohol. These plates help police identify cars driven by people with severe alcohol-related offenses. Knowing when whiskey plates are required can help you understand the rules and avoid problems if someone you know gets a DUI.
Multiple Offenses
When your spouse has been caught driving under the influence (DUI) more than once within ten years, they must use whiskey plates. These special license plates show that the driver has had serious problems with drinking and driving. The law requires these plates to help police monitor drivers with multiple DUIs to ensure road safety.
High Alcohol Concentration
When your spouse’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was 0.16 or higher when they were arrested, they need whiskey plates. A BAC of 0.16 means they had a lot of alcohol in their system. As this is a severe offense, the law requires whiskey plates to help police identify and monitor drivers caught with such a high BAC.
Driving With A Canceled, Suspended, Or Revoked License
When your spouse was caught driving when their license was canceled, suspended, or revoked because of a DUI offense, they will need whiskey plates. These plates are required to show that the driver had serious legal issues with drinking and driving. This helps the police keep track of drivers who have broken the law in this way to ensure road safety.
Refusal To Submit To Testing
When your spouse refuses to take a breath, blood, or urine test when stopped for a DUI, they will need whiskey plates. These tests are essential to determine whether someone has been drinking and driving. Refusing the tests is a serious offense, and whiskey plates help police identify and monitor drivers who didn’t cooperate with the testing.
How Long Are Whiskey Plates Required?
Whiskey plates are typically required for at least one year. The exact duration depends on the specifics of the offense and whether your spouse has complied with all court and administrative orders. Any vehicle owned, registered, or used by your spouse during this period must display whiskey plates.
Implications Of Having Whiskey Plates
Having whiskey plates on your car can affect many parts of your life. These special license plates show that the driver had serious problems with drinking and driving. This can lead to more police stops, higher insurance costs, and social stigma. Understanding these effects can help you deal with the situation better.
Increased Police Scrutiny
The police watch cars with whiskey plates more closely. When your car has these special plates, police stop you more often, even for small things like a broken tail light. The plates show that the driver had serious issues with drinking and driving, so officers pay more attention to make sure everyone stays safe on the roads.
Social Stigma
Whiskey plates can make people think differently about you. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers can see these special plates and know they are for people who have problems with drinking and driving. This can lead to people judging or treating you differently because they know you have a DUI offense. This adverse reaction from others is called social stigma.
Insurance Rates
Insurance companies see cars with whiskey plates as risky. When your spouse has these plates, the insurance company can think they are more likely to get into accidents because of their past drinking and driving problems. Due to this, the company can charge more money for car insurance, making it more expensive for your spouse to keep their car insured.
Employment Challenges
Having whiskey plates can make it harder for your spouse to find a job, especially if it involves driving. Employers can see these plates and know they are for people with DUI offenses. This can make them worry about hiring someone who has had problems with drinking and driving, which can reduce your spouse’s chances of getting a job that requires driving.
Avoiding Whiskey Plates
Avoiding whiskey plates means making smart choices to prevent getting them. This can help you avoid the extra attention from police, higher insurance costs, and other problems. By understanding the rules and being careful, you can keep your driving record clean and not need whiskey plates on your car.
Avoid Drinking And Driving
To avoid whiskey plates, ensure your spouse never drinks and drives. Drinking and driving can lead to severe problems and whiskey plates. Instead, use other ways to get home, like calling a taxi, using a rideshare service, or having a friend who hasn’t been drinking drive. These choices help keep everyone safe and avoid the need for whiskey plates.
Comply With Testing
When the police stop your spouse, they must agree to take breath, blood, or urine tests. These tests check if someone has been drinking and driving. When your spouse refuses to take these tests, it can lead to getting whiskey plates on their car. By cooperating with the tests, your spouse can avoid this problem and follow the law.
Follow License Restrictions
When your spouse’s license is canceled, suspended, or revoked, they must not drive until it is fully restored. Driving without a valid license can get you whiskey plates and cause more legal trouble. It is essential to wait until all driving privileges are back before moving again to avoid these problems and stay safe on the road.
Seek Legal Help
When your spouse is facing DUI charges, getting legal help is essential. A lawyer can guide you through the legal process, explain your spouse’s rights, and help reduce the chances of needing whiskey plates. Lawyers know the best ways to handle these cases and can provide advice and support to avoid severe penalties and problems.
How To Obtain And Remove Whiskey Plates
Getting and removing whiskey plates involves a few steps. When your spouse needs these special plates, they must follow specific rules to get them. Once the required time has passed and they have met all conditions, they can switch back to regular plates. Understanding this process helps ensure everything is done correctly.
Obtain Whiskey Plates
To get whiskey plates, your spouse needs to follow specific steps. These plates are required for severe driving offenses involving alcohol. Understanding how to obtain them ensures your spouse complies with the law and avoids further issues. Here’s a simple section to help you get whiskey plates.
Visit A Deputy Registrar’s Office
Your spouse must visit a local deputy registrar’s office to get whiskey plates. This is a place where people go to take care of vehicle-related tasks. Your spouse must fill out an application for the whiskey plates at the office. This step is necessary to ensure the plates are issued correctly and follow the rules.
Pay The Fee
When applying for whiskey plates, your spouse must pay a fee. This fee is required to process the application and issue the special plates. When visiting the deputy registrar’s office, your spouse must bring money or a credit card to cover the cost. Paying the fee is necessary for getting whiskey plates and ensuring everything is done according to the rules.
Provide Required Information
When applying for whiskey plates, your spouse must provide some critical information. They need to give the vehicle registration details, which include information about the car, such as the make, model, and license plate number. They also need to show proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or state ID. This information helps ensure that the whiskey plates are issued correctly and to the right person.
Remove Whiskey Plates
Removing whiskey plates involves specific steps. Once the required period has passed and all conditions are met, your spouse can return to regular license plates. Understanding this process ensures that everything is done correctly and legally. Here’s how to remove whiskey plates from your vehicle.
Complete The Required Period
To remove whiskey plates, your spouse must use them for the required time, usually one year. This means driving with the whiskey plates on the car for the full year as specified by the law. After completing this period without any violations, your spouse can switch back to regular plates. This step is necessary to comply with the legal requirements and ensure everything is done correctly.
Comply With Court Orders
Your spouse must follow all court and administrative orders to remove whiskey plates. This includes attending any required classes, paying fines, and meeting any other conditions set by the court. Completing these steps shows that your spouse follows the rules and takes responsibility. Once all orders are followed, your spouse can apply to switch back to regular license plates.
Visit A Deputy Registrar’s Office
Your spouse can go to a local deputy registrar’s office after using whiskey plates for the required time and following all court orders. They will apply for standard license plates to replace the whiskey plates at the office. This step is necessary to officially switch back to regular plates and ensure everything is recorded correctly. The office staff will help process the request and issue the new plates.
Pay The Fee
To switch back to standard plates, your spouse must pay a fee. This fee covers processing the application and issuing the new license plates. When visiting the deputy registrar’s office, your spouse must bring money or a credit card to pay this fee. Paying the cost is an essential step in completing the process and getting the car’s regular plates.
Consequences Of Non-Compliance
Not following the rules for whiskey plates can lead to severe problems. When your spouse doesn’t comply, they can face more extended penalties, higher fines, or even have their car taken away. Understanding the consequences of not following the requirements helps avoid these issues and keeps everything legal.
Extended Plate Requirement
When your spouse doesn’t follow the rules for whiskey plates, they can have to use them longer. For example, when they break any laws or don’t meet the requirements, the court could extend the period they need to keep the whiskey plates. This means they will have to display the special plates for over a year.
Increased Fines
When your spouse doesn’t follow the rules for whiskey plates, they could face higher fines and extra penalties. This means they can pay more money as a punishment for not complying. These fines can add up quickly and make the situation more complicated. Following all the rules helps avoid these extra costs and keeps everything legal.
Vehicle Impoundment
When your spouse does not display whiskey plates when required, authorities can take away the car. This is called vehicle impoundment. The police will keep the car until your spouse follows the rules and pays any fees. This can cause significant problems, like not having a vehicle to use. Making sure to display whiskey plates as required can prevent this from happening.
Criminal Charges
When your spouse doesn’t follow the rules for whiskey plates, they can face more criminal charges. This means they can be charged with additional crimes, which can make their legal situation worse. These new charges could lead to more fines, court appearances, or even jail time. It’s essential to follow all the rules to avoid getting into more legal trouble.
FAQs
1. Who Gets Whiskey Plates In MN?
In Minnesota, whiskey plates are given to drivers with severe alcohol-related offenses. This includes multiple DUIs within ten years, a BAC of 0.16 or higher, driving with a canceled license due to a DUI, or refusing a sobriety test. These special plates must be displayed for at least one year.
2. What Does The Black License Plate Mean In Minnesota?
In Minnesota, a black license plate, often called a “whiskey plate,” indicates that the vehicle’s owner has committed a severe alcohol-related offense. These plates are used for drivers with multiple DUIs, high BAC levels, or other related violations and must be displayed for a specified period.
3. How Many Days Before Whiskey Plates In MN?
In Minnesota, whiskey plates are required immediately after a qualifying DUI offense, high BAC level, or refusal to test. There is no specific waiting period; the requirement starts when the administrative or court order is issued. It begins immediately to ensure compliance with state laws.
Call For More Info On Whiskey Plates
Need more information on Whiskey Plates in Minnesota? Call us at (651) 829-3572 today or click below to schedule an appointment.
Unfortunately, when your vehicle is subject to plate impoundment and requires W plates, your spouse’s vehicle will also. The impoundment order extends to every car registered or leased in your name. The good news is that the W plates are only required on a spouse’s car when the offender’s plates are impounded.
There are ways of fighting the need for your spouse to get whiskey plates. In certain circumstances, a spouse or other household member can be able to get their plates back. When you would like to learn more about whether any of those situations apply to you, please contact the attorneys at Leverson Budke, PLLC, as soon as possible. Your time frame to challenge this is short, so don’t delay.
Conclusion
Understanding whiskey plates in Minnesota is essential if your spouse has faced alcohol-related driving offenses. Whiskey plates are required for specific DUI-related situations, and they impact various aspects of life, including police scrutiny, social stigma, insurance rates, and employment opportunities.
The best way to avoid whiskey plates is to prevent DUI offenses, comply with testing, follow license restrictions, and seek legal help. When whiskey plates are required, ensure proper compliance to avoid severe consequences.
Understand these factors. Thus, you can better support your spouse. You can also navigate the legal and administrative processes associated with whiskey plates in Minnesota.
